Take up a Cause for Paws in Oakville Thursday

Take up a Cause for Pause in Oakville Thursday

photo courtesy Oakville & Milton Humane Society

Shasta, a Siberian husky, is all ready for adoption after its training from the Oakville & Milton Humane Society thanks to funding from the annual Cause for Paws Martini Party and Auction. The 13th edition of the event is Thursday (June 26) at Appleby College, a partner of the fundraiser.

The Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS) rescued 540 dogs last year — 523 were adopted and the rest returned to their owners.

Brenda Dushko, OMHS manager of fund development and communications, credits the 100 per cent return rate to the Cause for Paws Martini Party and Auction.

The 13th edition of the fundraiser for OMHS is happening Thursday (June 26) at Appleby College, 540 Lakeshore Rd. W.

“The money they raised allows us to have two full-time dog trainers on staff, so we can work with dogs that other shelters would not be able to work with — dogs that are very timid and shy, some that would have behaviour issues that would not make they as adoptable,” she said.

“We can work with them one-on-one, get them ready and then give them the life skills they need to be really successful in their forever homes.

Dushko calls Cause for Paws the biggest fundraiser for OMHS every year, with the money it brings in “changing so many lives.”

Last year, 350 attendees raised approximately $110,000 with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the shelter’s dog behaviour program.

Not bad for an event that began as a house party at the home of one of the Cause for Paws founders, Beverlie Rockliffe.

This year, OMHS wants to see 500 people attend and hopes the event raises $115,000.

Rockliffe, who has donated $10,000 to the cause, has put out a challenge to the community to match or beat her donation.

“It’s an amazing night — a great party for an incredible cause and we hope people will come out and support it,” Dushko said.

Also benefitting from the annual fundraiser is OMHS’ Pay the Spay program, which makes sure all animals up for adoption at the shelter or spayed or neutered.

This year, the Cause for Paws committee reached out to local veterinarians and secured 150 spay and neuter donations from clinics.

“That’s an added bonus this year for Cause for Paws and it will make a big difference to our spay/neuter program,” said Dushko.

Tickets to the adult-only event cost $40 and can be purchased at the door, the 445 Cornwall Rd. shelter and other locations across Oakville — for more information, visit www.omhs.ca or www.CauseforPawsOakville.com.

Registration opens at 7 p.m., with the party going until 11 p.m.

Those who attend will get to sample food from Oakville restaurants, while beer and a selection of wines will be available for purchase using the event’s trademark dog bone currency, which can be bought during the evening.

Award-winning Latin guitarist and Oakville animal lover Johannes Linstead will be providing entertainment with his trio of musicians.

Violinist Grenville Pinto will perform before the live auction.

A highlighted item for the auction this year is a gourmet dinner for 10 in the winner’s home provided by celebrity chef David Adjey, of Restaurant Makeover and Iron Chef America.

“The Oakville & Milton Humane Society is incredibly grateful for the hardwork and dedication of the Cause for Paws Committee,” Dushko said. “There are literally hundreds and hundreds of homeless dogs that are in ‘forever’ homes today because of the Cause for Paws event.”